Machine for applying pressure to shoes



Oct. 10, 1939. A, A LAWSON 2,115,474

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOES Filed April 15, 1938 12Sheets-Sheet 1 H ivvE/vmq:

& {Q $2.4???- 2 Oct. 10, 1939. -A. A. LAWSON MACHINE FOR APPLYINGPRESSURE T0 SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet -2 mmb w Oct. 10,1939. A. A. LAWSON MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOES 12Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 13, 1938 Oct. 10, 1939. LAWSON 2,175,474

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE 1'0 SHOES Ma/W05" Oct. 10, 1939. A. A.LAWSON 2,175,474

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 12Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 10, 1939. A. A. LAWSON IACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURETO SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 I I I u l Oct. 10, 1939.A. A. LAWSON 2,175,474

IACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE T0 SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 12Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 10, 1939. A. A. LAWSON MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURETO SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 A l/E/VTURJ a.

, 2 m j KMZv Oct 10, 1939. LAWSON 2,175,474

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE T0 SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 I 12Sheets-Sheet 1O Ava/ma.-

Oct. 10, 1939. A. A. LAWSON 2,175,474

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOES Filed April 1a, 1938 12Sheets-Sheet 11 Wyzmm Oct. 10, 1939.

A. A. LAWSON 2,175,474

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOES Filed April 13, 1938 12Sheets-Sheet 12 4 lg. 25 a 2 Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE Axel A. Lawson, Beverly, Mass, assignor to United Shoe MachineryCorporatiomPaterson, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application April13, 1938, Serial-No. 201,790

33 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for applying pressure to shoes inshoe manufacture, and is herein illustrated as embodied in a machine forapplying both pressure and heat to the margins of 5 uppers on thebottoms of lasted shoes before outsoles are placed on the shoes. It isto be understood, however, that in various novel and useful aspects theinvention is not limited to machines for performing that particularoperation.

The present invention provides a novel organization wherebyfluid-operated means is utilized to perform the requiredpressure-applying operation. For the purposes in view the constructionshown comprises pressure-applying means ar- 15 ranged to receive andsupport a shoe placed thereon bottom downward, and a piston whichsupports the pressure-applying means and is operated by fluid pressureto raise the shoe against an abutment and then to move the pressure- 20applying means relatively to the shoe to apply the pressure to thebottom of the shoe.

The invention further provides novel means for controlling the pressurefluid, including means for limiting automatically the time during whichthe shoe remains under pressure. Thus insurance is afforded that, whenheat also is applied as illustrated, the shoe will not be subjected topressure and heat for more than a definite length of time, theconstruction herein shown being such that the length of time duringwhich the shoe is held under pressure is adjustably variable. Forcontrolling the flow of operating fluid in the illustrated constructionthere is provided a valve having an inlet, an exhaust and a neutral orpressure retaining position, and automatic means for moving the valvefrom inlet toneutral position whenever a predetermined pressure of thefluid is attained and for thereafter moving the valve from neutral toexhaust position after the shoe has been maintained under pressure for adefinite length of time. More particularly, as furtherhereinillustrated, there isprovided a spring which tends normally tohold the valve in exhaust position, operator-controlled means for movingthe valve from exhaust to inlet position to render the fluid effectiveto operate the piston, and means controlled by the pressure fluid fordisconnecting the valve and the operator-controlled means to permitreverse movement of the valve. This reverse 550 movement of the valve islimited by a valve-retaining member arranged to hold the valve inneutral position with the shoe under pressure in the machine, thismember being operated to release the valve for movement to exhaustposition .5 by a timing device which is adjustable by the operator todetermine variably the length of time during which each shoe is heldunder pressure. In order that the operator may, if he wishes, releasethe shoe from pressure at any time, there is provided, in accordancewith a further feature, 5 means controlled by the operator for movingtheabove-mentioned member out of valve retaining position, this means beingfurther movable to insure the return of the valve to exhaust position.

Bottom-pressing machines are commonly pro- 10 vided with two sets ofoperating instrumentalities for applying pressure to shoes in different10- cations in the machine. The different sets of instrumentalities, inthe machine herein shown, are operated by separate fluid pressure mecha-15 nisms, and separate valve mechanisms are provided, each movableindependently of the other to render the fluid effective to operate oneof the two sets of instrumentalities, the movements of each valve frominlet to neutral position and 0 from neutral to exhaust position beingcontrolled automatically in the manner above described. Preferably, andas illustrated, the above-mentioned valve retaining member is arrangedto hold either one of the two valves in neutral position; and inaccordance'with still another feature of the invention means is providedfor operating this member to release that valve which is in neutralposition upon movement of the other valve fromexhaust to inlet position.Thus the operator may accelerate the operation and increase the outputof the machine by moving either one of the two valves from exhaust toinlet position to cause a shoe to be subjected to pressure in onehalf ofthe machine and to cause the release from 5 pressure of another shoepreviously operated upon in the other half of the machine prior to theaction of the timing device on the above-mentioned valve retainingmember.

The above and other features of the invention 40 including various noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts will now be moreparticularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in right-hand side elevation of a machine in which thepresent invention is embodied, the right-hand unit being removed, and aportion of the base being broken away and other parts being shown insection to illustrate more clearly the construction thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the base of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a view, on an enlarged scale, partly in right-hand sideelevation and partly in section,

of the base of the machine, showing the main valves of the fluidpressure means and their operating connections;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section of aportion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail in front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of thetiming device associated with the valve operating mechanism, the partsbeing shown in the positions that they assume before use;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but illustrating the positions of theparts at the beginning of the timing operation;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line V1II-VIII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail in side elevation of parts of the timing device;

Fig. 10 is a view partly in section and partly in right-hand sideelevation of the valve mechanism and associated parts in the positionsthey assume substantially at the beginning of the cycle of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10but illustrating the relative positions of the parts with a shoe underpressure in the machine;

Fig. 12 is a view partly in right-hand side elevation and partly insection on the line )flI-XII of Fig. 4;

Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are diagrammatic views of the fluid pressureoperating means and the several valves for controlling the flow of theoperating fluid, the relative positions of the valves being shown inFig. 13 at the time when the machine is initially at rest, in Fig. 14substantially at the beginning of the cycle of operations, in Fig. 15substantially at the time of the operation of the pressure releasevalve, and in Fig. 16 with a shoe under pressure in the machine;

Fig. 17 shows diagrammatically the fluid pressure operating means withthe valves in position to stop the free circulation of the operatingfluid, to direct the fluid to one of the cylinders and to permit theexhaust of fluid from the other cylinder;

Fig. 18 is a view in front elevation of the upper left-hand portion ofthe machine;

Fig. 19 is a view in left-hand side elevation of the portion of themachine shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the shoe bottom pressing or ironing means andparts associated therewith;

Fig. 21 is a view partly in left-hand side elevation and partly insection showing the ironing units for engaging the bottom of theforepart, shank and heel-end portions of the shoe at one side only withthe shoe under pressure in the machine;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the ironing units shown in Fig. 21 withthe ironing members removed; and

Figs. 23 and 24 are cross-sectional views through the forepart and shankironing units respectively illustrating the positions of the parts atthe end of the ironing operation.

The machine herein shown is a twin machine comprising two sets ofinstrumentalities whereby one shoe may be subjected to pressuresimultaneously with the release from pressure of another shoe previouslyoperated upon. Since the two sets are constructed substantially alikeexcept that they are used to operate respectively on right and leftshoes, the present description will be confined for the most part toonly one set.

The machine comprises a base 20 provided with a boss 22 upon which thereis seated a bracket 24 fastened to the base by screws 26. The bracket 24has a pair of laterally extending bosses 28 each of which is bored toreceive a vertical rod 30 secured to the boss by tapered pins 32. Thevertical rods 3!] (Fig. 1) support adjustably near their upper ends acrosshead 34 to which there is secured a plate 36 on which is mountedfor sliding movements lengthwise of the shoe a carrier 38 for a worksupport or jack which may be and as illustrated is substantially likethat shown in United States Letters Patent No. 2,095,245, granted onOctober 12, 1937, upon an application of S. J. Finn, this jack servingto support the shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face. Forholding the carrier against sliding movement on the plate there isprovided a thumb screw 40 which extends through the carrier and isarranged to engage the plate 36. The jack comprises a shoe rest 42 forengaging the shoe or last at the top of the forepart and a heel-endsupport 44 which engages the top of the cone of the last. In order tohold the shoe eilectively against tipping movement laterally of the shoeas pressure is applied to its bottom face, the heel support 44 includesa last pin 46 arranged to extend into the spindle hole in the heel endof the last. The shoe rest 42 in the construction herein shown comprisesa leather covered pad 48 of rubber or other suitable material which ishollowed out laterally of the shoe and is mounted on a block 50adjustably secured to a second block 52 mounted for sliding movements indirections lengthwise of the shoe on a rocking member 54. The member 54is mounted on a laterally extending rod 56 supported by the dependingspaced arms 58 of the carrier 38. Pivotally mounted on the block 52 is aspring-controlled latch 60 arranged to engage any one of the series ofrecesses 62 (Fig. 21) formed in the member 54 to hold the block 52 inadjusted position lengthwise of the shoe. Formed on the block 52 is adovetail-shaped tongue 64 extending laterally of the shoe and arrangedto enter a similarly shaped groove in the block 50. The block 58 is heldin adjusted position laterally of the shoe on the block 52 by means ofset screws 66 carried by the block 50 and arranged to engage the tongue64, lock nuts 68 being provided for holding the set screws in lookingengagement with the tongue. It will be readily seen that the aboveconstruction permits the shoe rest 42 to be adjusted in directions bothlengthwise and widthwise of the shoe as required for shoes of .difierentsizes and styles. The heelend support 44 for engaging the top of thecone of the last is freely movable in directions widthwise of the shoealong guideways formed in a holder 70, a screw 12 in the holder beingprovided for limiting such movement of the heelend support relatively tothe holder. For permitting free swinging movements of the holder 10 indirections lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe there are pivotallyconnected to its opposite sides equal links I4 the ends of which remotefrom the holder are pivotally connected to a pair of equal links 16pivotally mounted one on each side of the member 54 on a pin '18 carriedby this rocking member. Extending between the opposite end portions ofthe pin 18 and upwardly extending portions (Fig. l) of the links 14 aresprings 82 which tend to hold the links 14, 16 in substantially parallelrelation with the links 16 in engagement with stops, illustrated as pins84, projecting from the member 54 and with the holder 10 in engagementwith the loop-shaped end of a rod 86 projecting from one end of themember 54. Connected at one end to a plate 86 fastened to the crosshead44 and at the other end by means of a short chain 96- to the rod 86 is aspring 92 which tends to hold the rocking member 54 in a substantiallyhorizontal position with the heel pin 46 substantially vertical.

Mounted on the rods 36 is a slide 94 (Figs. 1, 18 and 19) to whichupward movements are imparted by means hereinafter more particularlydescribed. Slidingly mounted on the rods 36 above the slide 94 is acasting 96 supported by a spring 98 which is arranged to yield inresponse to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied. At its lowerend the spring98 engages a shoulder I66 formed within a central recessI62 in the slide 94 and at its upper end the spring engages a shoulderI64 within a recess I66 in the casting 96 in vertical alinement with thecentral recess I62. Initially the spring 98 is under slight tension andacts to hold the casting 96 in spaced relation to the slide 94determined by the effective length of a bolt I68 which is carried by thecasting 96 and extends downwardly through an opening in the slide 94,the head H6 of the bolt engaging a shoulder II2 on the casting 96 and anut II4 threaded on the opposite end of the bolt engaging a finishedsurface M5 on the slide 94.

The casting 96 serves to support shoe bottom pressing or ironing devicesarranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides ofits forepart, shank and heel-end portions. As more particularlyhereinafter described, the pressing devices are relatively adjustableheightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles and asherein illustrated the devices or units are arranged in pairs to actrespectively on the bottom of the forepart, shank, and heelend portionsof the shoe. The ironing units for engaging the lasted margin of theupper at the opposite sides of the forepart, each comprising a holder II6 (Figs, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23) are pivotally and slidably mounted upona shaft H8 supported by upwardly extending arms I26 (Fig. 18) and bossesI22 on the casting 96, the shaft extending through a boss I24 formed oneach of the holders II6. Formed also on each of the holders II6 is aboss I26 which is slotted to receive a bushing I28 on the shaft H8 andis 3 counterbored to receive the head I96 of the bushthese plates beingmounted in superposed contiguous relation and being shaped substantiallyto conform to the lengthwise curvature of the bottom of the forepart ofthe shoe. Extending outwardly from the inner edge of the plate I36 indirections substantially normal to the edge curvature of the forepart ofa shoe are a plurality of slots I88 which divide the plate into a seriesof spring fingers I46. The outer edges of the plates I94, I36 engage ashoulder I42 on the holder H6 and secured to the holder by screws I44 isa member I45 having curved ribs I48, I56 formed thereon for limiting thedownward movement of the fingers I46, the rib I56 being arranged toengage the inner end portions of the spring fingers I46 with the rib I46in engagement with the downwardly bent fingers I46 at the toe end inlocations beyond the outer edge of the last bottom.

The heel-end ironing units each comprise a holder I52 (Figs. 18, 19, 20,21 and 22) slidably mounted upon a common support I54 pivotallyconnected at I56 to a plate I58 secured by screws I66 to the casting 96.Secured to each holder I52 by screws I62 is a thin shoe-engaging orironing plate I64 of resilient metal and a relatively thick plate I66 ofresilient metal which acts as a support for the plate I64, the platesI64, I66 being substantially flat for engagement with the lasted marginof the upper along the sides of the heel-end portion of the shoe bottom,Extending outwardly from one edge of the plate I66 in directionssubstantially normal to the edge curvature of the heel end of the shoeare a plurality of slots i68 (Fig. 20) which divide the plate into aseries of fingers I16 downward movement of which is limited by aforwardly extending plate I12 underlying the inner end portions of thefingers I16 and secured to the holder I52 by screws I14. At their outeredges the plates I64, I66 engage a shoulder I16 on the holder I52.Overlying the plate I64 and arranged to engage the lasted margin of theupper at the extreme rear end portion of the shoe is a thin flexibleresilient plate I18 secured by screws I86 to an upwardly extendingmember I82 (Fig. 19). The member I82 is fastened to the end face of thepivoted support I54 by screws I84 which serve also to secure to the endface of the support an inverted substantially L-shaped member I86 havinga toewardly extending portion I88 which is arranged to engage theholders I52 of the heel-end ironing units in laterally extending slotsI96 formed in the holders.

Each of the shank ironing units comprises a holder I92 (Fig. 20) havingformed thereon bosses I94, I96 bored to receive pivot pins I95, I91carried by bosses I98, 266 formed respectively on the holders II6, I52of the forepart and heelend ironing units, the bosses I98, 266 beingcounterbored to receive the heads of the pivot pins and set screws 262,264 being provided for holding the pins I95, I91 against endwisemovement in the bosses. Formed on each holder I92 are curved surfaces266, 268 (Figs. 21 and 22) arranged to engage similarly curved seats2I6, 252 formed respectively on the holders H6 and I52, the curvedsurface 266 and its seat 2I 6 being concentric with the axis of the pinI65 and curved surface 266 and its seat 2 I2 being concentric with theaxis of the pin I61. The holder I92 has also formed thereon a pluralityof flat surfaces 214 (Fig. 21) on which rest a plurality of U-shapedsprings 2I6 the inner end portions of which are held in spaced relationby pins 2I8 (Fig. 24) extending upwardly from the holder I92 and throughthe lower arms of the U-shaped springs 2I6. Surrounding each of the pins2I8 between the lower and upper arms of each of the U- shaped springs isa compression spring 226. At their outer closed ends the U-shapedsprings are held in spaced relation by fingers 222 formed on a member224 secured to the holder I92 by screws 226 (Fig. 24). overlying theU-shaped springs 2I6 is a thin shoe-engaging or ironing plate 228 ofresilient metal shaped to conform substantially to the lengthwisecurvature of the shank portion of the shoe. The plate 228 is fastened byrivets 236 to the inwardly extending arms 232 of a spring clip 234having an upwardly bent central portion 236 through which extends ashouldered screw 238 threaded into the holder I92 (Fig. 24). Near itsinner end each U-shaped spring 2I6 has projecting upwardly from itslower arm a shouldered pin 246 riveted to the lower arm, the pins 246being arranged, by engagement with the upper arms of the U-shapedsprings, to limit downward bending of the inner portion of theshoeengaging plate 228.

In the illustrated construction, the shoe-engaging plate I34 of eachforepart unit extends somewhat heelwardly of the junction of theforepart and shank portions of the shoe, the heelwardly extendingportion 242 (Fig. 20) of the plate I34 being curved similarly to andoverlying the shank ironing plate 228. Overlying the shank ironing plate228 is the toewardly projecting portion 244 of the heel-end ironingplate I64, this projecting portion being also curved similarly to theshank ironing plate. As herein shown, the forepart, shank and heel-endironing units for engaging the lasted margin of the upper at theopposite sides of the shoe bottom are mounted on the casting 96 betweenside plates 246 each of which is provided with a depending portion 248(Fig. 19) which is slotted to receive the bushing I28 and iscounterbored to receive a head 250 formed on the outer end of thebushing. Extending through an elongated slot 252 in each side plate 246is a shouldered screw 254 threaded into the holder I52 of the heel-endironing unit, a washer 256 being provided between the head of the screwand the side plate. By reason of their overlapping relation the ironingplates I 34, 228 and IE4 of the forepart, shank and heel-end units arearranged to engage the lasted margin of the upper along the oppositesides of the shoe bottom continuously from its toe to its heel-endportion, the flexible plate I18 engaging the lasted margin of the upperat the extreme rear end portion of the shoe. The ironing plates I34, 228and I64 are long enough to accommodate shoes of different sizes andpreferably the ironing plates I34 of the forepart units are shaped toconform nearly to the lateral curvature of the bottom of the forepart ofthe shoe.

In order to accommodate shoes of different styles, that is, shoesmounted upon lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights,means is provided, which will now be described, for relatively adjustingthe forepart, shank and heel-end units heightwise of the shoe to varythe lengthwise contour of the ironing plates I34, 228 and I64 inaccordance with variations in the lengthwise curvature of the bottomfaces of shoes of different styles. As shown, particularly in Figs. 19,21 and 22, the holder II6 of one of the forepart ironing units isprovided with a circular seat for the ball-shaped upper end of a rod 258which is threaded into a sleeve 260 (Fig. 19) recessed to receive aprojection 262 formed on a rod 264 which extends downwardly through anenlarged opening 266 in a laterally extending shaft 268 supported bydepending ears 210 on the casting 96. The ball-shaped end of the rod 258is held in engagement with its seat by means of a plate 212 secured tothe holder I I6 by screws 214. The rod 264 is pinned to the sleeve 260and has a curved shouldered portion 216 engaging a similarly shaped seatformed on the shaft 268. Pinned to the rod 264 is a collar 218 engaginga flat surface 260 on the shaft 263. Surrounding the rod 264 between aflange 282 formed on a hand wheel 284 pinned to the lower end of the rodand the flat surface 280 is a compression spring 286 which actsfrictionally to hold the rod 264 against free turning movement. Formedon the holder I I6 to which the rod 258 is connected are laterallyextending projections 286 (Figs. 21 and 22) arranged to engage finishedsurfaces on the bottom face of the holder II6 of the forepart ironingunit that engages the lasted margin of the upper at the opposite side ofthe shoe bottom. It will be evident that by rotation of the hand Wheel284 the forepart holders I I6 may be swung about the axis of the shaft II 8 to raise or lower the pivot pins I95. As the pivot pins I 95 arethus raised or lowered the forepart and shank holders H6 and I92 arerotated relatively to one another about the axis of the pins I95 to varythe angle between the ironing plates I34 of the forepart units and theironing plates 228 of the shank units and thus to vary the contourdefined by the plates I34, 228 and I64 lengthwise of the shoe inaccordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms ofshoes mounted upon lasts designed to accommodate heels of differentheights. For the convenience of the operator there is pivotallyconnected to the casting 96 a pointer 290 (Fig. 19) which is arranged tocooperate with a scale 292 on an arc-shaped member 294 fastened to thecasting 96 and to indicate the different adjusted positions of theforepart ironing units in operating upon shoes mounted upon lastsdesigned to carry heels of different heights, the pointer being swung asthe forepart units are adjusted by means of an arm 296 connected to oneof the holders II6 by a screw 298 extending through an elongated slot300 in the arm. It will be understood that as the forepart units arethus adjusted the shank and heel-end units may move lengthwise of theshoe by reason of the slotted connection between the holders I52 of theheel-end units and the member I86. In order that the shank and heel-endironing units may be adjusted relatively to the forepart units as may benecessary in operating upon shoes designed to carry comparatively highheels, there is connected to the support I54, on which rest the heel-endironing units, a rod 302 which extends downwardly through a central borein a shaft 304 supported by depending ears 306 on the casting 96. Therod 302 is threaded into a yoke 363 which extends through an enlargedopening in the plate I58 and is pivotally connected at 305 to thesupport I54. The rod 302 is held against endwise movement relatively tothe shaft 304 by means of a collar 308 formed on the rod and engaging aflat surface 3I0 on the shaft and a collar 3I2 pinned to the rod andengaging a flat surface 3I4 formed on the opposite side of the shaft.Pinned to the lower end portion of the rod 302 is a hand wheel 3I6 forturning it and surrounding the rod between a flange 3I8 on the handwheel and the flat surface 3I4 on the shaft 304 is a compression spring320 which tends frictionally to hold the hand wheel against turningmovement. It will be understood that by turning the hand wheel 3I6 thesupport I54 may be swung about its pivot to vary the angle between theheel-end ironing plates I64 and the shank ironing plates 220. As thesupport I54 is thus swung the pivot pins I91 are raised or lowered tomove the shank ironing units relatively to the forepart ironing units togive the ironing plates I34, 228 and I64 the required pronouncedlongitudinal contour. A pointer 3I5 secured to the plate I50 by screws3I'I (Figs. 19 and 21) and cooperating with a scale 3I9 on the memberI86 indicates different adjusted positions of the heelend ironing units.Each side plate 246 is formed integral with a pair of slides 322 mountedin guideways 324 formed in the casting 96, each slide being held in itsguideway by a cover plate 326 fastened to the casting 96 by screws 328.Arranged to engage each slide 322 in a recess 330 formed. in the slideis the rounded upper end of one arm 332 of a bell-crank lever 334, theother arm of which is connected by a link 336 to the slide 94. When themachine is initially at rest the forepart, shank, and heel-end ironingunits of that set of instrumentalities which is in its lowermostposition in the machine are held in their outermost positions by theside plates 246 and the above-described connections to the slide 94. Asthus positioned, the ironing plates I34, 228 and I84 are arranged toreceive and support a previously lasted shoe presented initially by theoperator bottom downward by engagement with the overlaid marginalportion of the upper along the opposite sides of the shoe substantiallyfrom the toe end to the heel end of the shoe with the extreme heel-endportion of the shoe in engagement with the plate I18. It will beunderstood that the last and shoe will have been previously mounted onthe heel pin 46 and that the holder 15 will have been moved with thelast and shoe as the shoe is placed initially on the ironing plates I33,223 and I84. It will be understood also that in the upward movement ofthe slide 94 the shoe and the holder 15 are first moved into engagementrespectively with the shoe rest 42 and with an abutment 338 (Fig. 1)formed on the member 54 before any substantial amount of pressure isapplied to the bottom of the shoe and that the member 54 may rock moreor less about the axis of the rod 55 to move the shoe rest 42 intoengagement with the shoe or the abutment 338 into engagement with theholder 10 as may be necessary to accommodate lasts of different heights.With the shoe rest 42 in engagement with the shoe and the abutment 338in engagement with the holder 19, the pivoted member 54 is movedupwardly with the last and shoe until its curved upper edge 349 (Fig. 1)engages a, correspondingly curved seat 342 on the carrier 38, the pin 58extending through an elongated slot 344 in the member 54 to permit thisupward movement. Thereafter the member 54 is held frictionally againstfurther rocking movement and in response to the pressure of the shoeupon them the plates I34, 228 and I64 are flexed to conform more closelyto the contour of the shoe bottom and yield downwardly until the fingersMil of the plates I35 engage the curved ribs I48, I53 on the member I48,the fingers I18 of the plates IE engage the plates I12, and the upperarms of the U-shaped springs 2I8 engage the pins carried by the lowerarms of the springs. In the continued upward movement of the slide 94the pressure of the plates I34, 228 and I64 on the overlaid margin ofthe upper is progressively increased as the spring 98 is compresseduntil abutments 348 on the slide 94 engage abutments 348 on the casting58, after which relatively heavy pressure is applied to the shoe bymeans hereinafter described. As the spring 98 begins to yield in theupward movement of the slide 94 in response to the pressure of the shoeon the ironing plates, the links 335 act to swing the bellcrank levers333 in directions to move the side plates 248 and the forepart, shankand heel-end ironing units at the opposite sides of the shoe toward eachother, the ironing plates I34, 228 and being thus moved bodily inward toiron the overlaid margin of the upper along the sides of the forepart,shank and heel-end portions of the shoe.

In order that the ironing plates I34 of the forepart units will act onthe overlaid margin of the upper around the toe end of the shoe theinner edges of the plates when the forepart units are at their outermostpositions are substantially parallel to the longitudinal median line ofthe forepart of the shoe and are cut away heelwardly of the toe portionof the shoe to permit the toe end portions of the plates I34 to moveinto engagement with each other as they complete their inward movements.Secured to the holder IIB of one of the forepart units by means of thescrews I32 is a thin flexible resilient plate 350 (Fig. 20) whichextends inwardly between the toe portion of the ironing plate I34 andits supporting plate I38 at one side of the shoe, the inner end portionof the plate 359 extending also between the toe portion of the ironingplate I34 and its supporting plate I36 at the opposite side of the shoewhen the forepart units are in their outermost positions. The plate 359bridges the gap between the inner edges of the toe end portions of theironing plates I34, thus affording substantial insurance that theoverlaid margin of the upper at the extreme toe end will not be pinchedbetween the ironing plates I34 as the toe end portions of these platesare brought together at the completion of their inward movements. Byreference to Fig. 20 it will be seen that the forward edge portions ofthe plate I18 for engaging the lasted margin of the upper at the extremerear end of the shoe are supported at each side of the shoe by a springclip 352 fastened to the holder I52 by one of the screws I62. The plateI18 prevents marking of the upper at the extreme heel-end portion of theshoe as the plates I64 are moved inwardly to iron the overlaid marginalong the sides of the heel-end portion. In order to eliminate anypossibility of making the upper at the opposite sides of the shoe by theinwardly moving plates I34 and IE4, the forward edge faces of theprojections 242 of the plates I34 and the rear edge faces of theprojections 244 of the plates I84 as well as the rear edge faces of theplate I18 are inclined at an angle to the direction of inward movementof the ironing plates.

In order to assist in ironing the overlasted margin of the upper freefrom wrinkles and setting it in lasted position, the machine hereinshown is provided with means for maintaining the ironing plates in aheated condition. For this purpose there is secured to each of theholders H8, I92, and I52 at one side of the shoe, an electrical heatingdevice 354 (Figs. 21 and 22) that extends inwardly beneath the ironingplates of the unit and also beneath the ironing plates of thecorresponding unit at the opposite side of the shoe, thedevices 354being connected by suitable electrical connections to any convenientsource of electrical energy for heating them. The ironing members ofeach unit are heated partly by radiation and partly by heat conducted tothem from the holders I I6, I92 and I52. Novel features of theconstruction hereinbefore described are claimed in a separateapplication Serial No. 185,347, filed January 17, 1938, in the name ofSidney J. Finn.

The upward movements of the slides 94 to operate the shoe bottompressing or ironing means of the two sets of instrumentalities areeffected by power through the action of fluid pressure means. For thispurpose there is secured to each slide 94 by screws 358 a collar 380(Fig. 18) that extends into the upper open end of a cylinder 362 formedintegral with the bracket 24 and is secured to a piston 364 fitted toslide freely in the cylinder 362 by screws 355. The illustrated machineis provided with novel pressure restoring mechanism which issubstantially like that fully shown and described in an application ofHerbert B. Newhall, Serial No. 156,189, filed July 28, 1937. As shownparticularly in Fig. 18, the piston 364 is formed in two parts, theupper part having a plurality of recesses 366 formed therein in whichare seated springs 368 resting at their lower ends against the lowerpart 310 of the piston. The springs 368 act to hold the lower part 310in a spaced relation to the upper part determined by a shoulder bolt 312extending through central bores in the lower and upper parts of thepiston and having threaded on its upper end a nut 314 between which anda finished surface 316 on the upper part there is a washer 311, a head318 on the lower end of the bolt 3T2 engaging a counterbored surface 380on the lower part. The bottom face of the part 310 of the piston isgrooved to receive an annular packing ring 382 which is substantiallyU-shaped in crosssection and may be made of rubber or rubberlikematerial. The packing ring 382 is upheld within the groove in the part310 by a flat ring 384 supported by a retaining plate 386 secured to thepart 310 by a screw 388, an expanding ring 390 being provided whichsurrounds the flat ring 384 and acts to press the outer wall of the U-shaped packing ring 382 against the wall of the cylinder.

The cylinder 362 below the two-part piston 364 is provided with achamber 392 into which fluid, preferably oil, may be introduced througha pipe 394 to move the piston upwardly. When there is no shoe in themachine upward movement of the piston 384 in the cylinder 362 is limitedby the engagement of pins 396 carried by the slide 94 with links 398 atthe upper ends of slots 400 formed in the links. The links 398 arepivotally connected to the bracket 24, one at each side of the cylinder362, and surrounding each link between a washer 402 engaging a finishedsurface 404 on the bracket 24 and a washer 406 engaging a finishedsurface 408 on the slide 94 is a compression spring M0, the springs 4|being arranged to yield under the weight of the parts in the downwardmovement of the slide 94 which is limited by engagement of a flange 409on the slide with the finished upper surface 4 of the cylinder 362 (Fig.18). The pipe 394 connects the cylinder 362 and an opening M2 in a novelvalve unit 4I4 (Fig. 4), hereinafter more particularly described, whichcontrols the flow of fluid from the cylinder 362. Fluid is supplied by agear pump 4l6 driven continuously through a belt 4|8 (Fig. 1) by anelectric motor (not herein shown), the fluid being drawn from a tank 420in the lower portion of the base 20 through a pipe 422 leading to thepump 4E6 and provided with a check valve 424, shown diagrammatically inFigs. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, for preventing the return of fluid throughthe pipe 422 back to the tank 420. From the pump M6 the fluid is led bya pipe 426 into an opening 428 in a valve casing 430 bored to provide achamber 432 in which there is fitted a cylindrical valve, illustrated asa small piston 434, having a reduced shank portion 436 to which there issectued by a pin 438 a head 440 (Fig. 3). The valve 434 is normally inposition to permit the fluid to return to the pump through a secondopening 442 (Fig. 3) in the casing 430 connected by a pipe 444 tothepipe 422 (Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). The chamber 432 in the casing430 communicates with openings 446 in adjacent valve casings 448, eachof which is bored to provide a chamber 450 in which there is fitted athree-position valve, illustrated as a small piston 452, having areduced shank portion 454 connected by a pin 456 to a head'458. Thevalves 452 control the admission and exhaust of oil to and from thecylinders 362 of the machine. Each casing 448 has a second opening 459formed therein through which fluid is fed to a pipe 460 connected to anopening 462 in the valve unit 4 I 4, the fluid passing through theopening M2 in the unit 4M and the pipe 394 into the cylinder 362. Thefluid is exhausted from the cylinder back through the valve unit M4 andpipe 469 into the chamber 450 and thence downwardly through a hollowcasting 464 to which there is secured a curved nozzle 466, the outletend of which is positioned over the tank 420.

When the machine is initially at rest, the valve 434 is in the positionindicated in Fig. 3, a spring 468, bearing at one end against the closedend 410 of the casing 430 and at the other end against the head 440 ofthe valve, tends to move the valve to the right. Movement of the valve434 to the right (Figs. 3 and 10) is limited by the engagement oflatches 412 (Fig. with a flange 414 formed on the valve, the flangeengaging each latch in a notch 416 formed in the latch. With the valve434 in the position shown in Fig. 3 fluid is circulatedidly from thepump 4|6 through the pipe 426, the chamber 432, and back through thepipes 444 and 422 to the pump (Fig. 13). Each latch 412 is pivotallyconnected to a bracket 415 secured to the valve casing 430 by screws41'! (Fig. and is held by a spring 418 in engagement with a roll 4B0carried by an adjustable abutment 482 secured to the upper end of onearm 484 of a bell-crank lever 486 pivotally connected at 488 to abracket 490 secured to the base 20 by screws 492, one of which is shownin Fig. 3. The arms 484 are each connected to one of the valves 452 by ashort link 494 and each arm is held normally in engagement with anadjustable stop, illustrated as a screw 496 threaded into the bracket490, by a spring 498 extending between the arm 484 and the bracket 490.Loosely journaled upon a shaft 500 (Fig. 4) extending laterally of themachine and supported by suitable bosses on the base 20 is a treadle 502for swinging each arm 484 in a direction to move the valve 452 intoposition to permit oil under pressure to be admitted to the cylinder 362at that side of the machine the treadle of which has been depressed.Each treadle 502 has formed thereon bosses 504 through which extendadjustable screws 506 arranged to engage the opposite side faces of alug 508 on an arm 510 also mounted on the shaft 500 and held againstmovement lengthwise of the shaft by a set screw 5| l lock nuts 5| 2being provided for holding the screws 506 in adjusted positions.Pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 5| 0 is a bell-cranklever 5| 4 having a rearwardly extending arm 5l6 carrying a plate 518and a downwardly extending arm 520 connected by a spring 522 to arearwardly extending projection 524 on the arm 5I0. The spring 522 tendsto swing the bell-crank lever in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3)and to hold it with a stop 526 on the arm 520 in engagement with a stop528 on the arm 5l0, and with the plate 5l8 in position to engage a plate530 secured to the arm 484. A spring 532 connected at one end to thehook-shaped head of a screw 534 threaded into the bracket 490 and at theother end to a plate 536 mounted to swing upon a shouldered stud 538connecting the arm 5l0 and the bellcrank lever 5|4 acts through the arm510 to uphold the treadle 502 with an adjustable stop, illustrated as ascrew 540, carried by the treadle in engagement with a fixed abutment542 on the base 26. Depression of the treadle 562 acts to swing the arm510 and through the bell-crank lever I4 the arm 484 to the left (Fig. 3)to move the valve 452 into the position shown in Fig. in which positionthe opening 459 in the chamber 456 is uncovered so that fluid may beadmitted to the cylinder 362, the head 458 of the piston acting to closethe chamber 456 between the opening or port 459 and the hollow casting464. As the arm 484 is swung into the position shown in Fig. 10, theadjustable abutment 482 carried by the arm engages the end of the valve434 and moves it into position to close the opening 442 in the casing430, thus preventing the return flow of oil to the pump 416. With thevalves 434 and 452 in the positions shown in Fig. 10, fluid is admittedto the cylinder 362 to raise the piston 864 and to impart upwardmovement to the slide 94 to cause the shoe bottom ironing means at thatside of the machine, the treadle 562 of which has been depressed, to beoperated in the manner hereinbefore described.

In order to limit the pressure of the ironing means on the bottom of theshoe there is pro vided a pressure control valve 544 which is not shownherein in detail since it is substantially the same as that shown inFig. 33 and fully described in Letters Patent No. 2,647,185, grantedJuly 14, 1936, upon an application of M. H. Ballard et al. An opening546 in the casing 436 (Figs. 3 and 10) communicating with the opening428 in the casing leads to the inlet side of the pressure control valve544 and from the outlet side of the valve a pipe 548 leads to a valveunit 556 (Fig. 12) hereinafter described. It will be understood that thepressure control valve is held closed by means of a spring (not hereinshown) which yields to permit the valve to open when the pressure of thefluid in the pipe 426 and the cylinder 362 is sufficient to overcome thetension of the spring and that the tension of the spring may be variedby means of a hand wheel 552 to permit passage of fluid through thevalve at any desired predetermined pressure. The valve unit 556 (Fig.12) comprises a casing 554 which is formed in tegral with the hollowcasting 464 and is bored to provide a chamber 556 which opens at one endend into an enlarged central opening 558 in the casing and at the otherend is connected by an opening 566 to the hollow casting 464. Fitted toslide in the chamber 556 is a valve in the form of a small piston 562having a forwardly extending grooved portion 564 extending into theopening 558 in the casing. At its opposite end the valve 562 isconnected by a link 566 to an upwardly extending arm 568 of a bell-cranklever 518 mounted on a rod 512 supported by downwardly extending ears514 (Fig. 4) on the valve casings 448. The bell-crank lever 516 has apair of rearwardly extending arms 516 connected by links 518 to therearwardly extending arms 5|6 of the bell-crank levers 514, each arm 5l6carrying a shouldered screw 586 that extends through an elongated slot581 in its associated link 518. The shouldered screw 58!! in the arm 516engages the link 518 at the upper end of the slot 581 in the link whenthe parts are in the positions shown in Fig, 12 with the port 566 closedby the valve 562. When the pressure in the cylinder 362, at that side ofthe machine the treadle of which has been depressed by the operator tomove the valves 434 and 452 into the positions shown in Fig. 10

and illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 14, is

sufiicient to overcome the resistance of the pressure control valveoperating spring, the valve 544 opens permitting passage of the fluidthrough the pipe 548 and into the enlarged opening 558 in the valvecasing 554. The pressure of oil in the opening 558 on the valve 562causes the valve to be moved to the right (Fig. 12), this movement ofthe valve acting through the link 566, bell-crank lever 516 and link 518to swing the bell-crank lever 514 in a direction to release the arm 484to the action of the spring 498. Movement of the valve 562 to the rightis limited by enagement or" shoulders 565 on the grooved portion 564 ofthe valve with a shoulder 561 formed within the casing 554 by theopening 558 and the bore 556. Carried by each link 494 is a roll 582engaging a bar 584 (Figs. 3, 5, 10 and 11) carried by the forwardlyextending arm 586 of a bellcrank lever 588 supported between downwardlyextending arms 566 (Fig. 5) on the bracket 415. The bell-crank lever 588has a downwardly extending arm 592 connected by a link 594 to one arm595 of a bell-crank lever 596 mounted to swing on a short rod 598supported by the bracket 486. The bell-crank lever 566 has a rearwardlyextending arm 666 between which and the bracket 496 there extends aspring 662 which tends to swing the bell-crank lever 596 and through thelink 564 the bell-crank lever 588 in a direction to hold the bar 584 inengagement with the roll 582. As the arm 484 is released by thebellcrank lever 514, the spring 488 swings the arm rearwardly (Figs. 10and 11) Movement of the arm in this direction is limited by engagementof the bar 564 with a shoulder 664 on the valve 452, the spring 662acting to swing the arm 586 upwardly to move the bar into position toengage the shoulder 664 as the roll 582 is moved out of engagement withthe plate in the rearward swinging movement of the arm 464, anadjustable screw 665 projecting from the bracket 496 engaging the arm666 to limit its upward swinging movement. It will be understood thatthe arm 484 in the opposite half of the machine at this time is in theposition shown in Fig. 3, the roll 582 carried by the link 494connecting that arm to its associated valve 452 being out of engagementwith the bar 584. Each valve 452 is provided with a circumferentialgroove 666 to provide clearance for the bar 584 as the arm is swungupwardly to position the bar for engagement with the shoulder 664 on oneof the valves 452 when the other valve is in its initial position (Fig.3). Movement of the arm 484 from the position shown in Fig. 10 to theposition shown in Fig. 11 moves the valve 452 into position to cause thehead 456 of the valve to close the opening 459 in the chamber 456, thuslocking fluid under pressure in the cylinder 362. By reference to Fig.10 it will be seen that the latch 412 rearwardly of the notch 416 hasits lower edge face 668 shaped to permit it to be swung downwardlyrelatively to the arm 484 by the spring 418 as the arm is moved from theposition shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig, 10, a secondnotch 616 being formed in the latch to provide clearance for the flange414 on the valve 434 as the latch is thus swung. As the arm 484 is swungrearwardly from the position shown in Fig. 10 to the position shown inFig. 11, the latch receives an upward swinging movement by engagement ofthe roll 486 with its lower edge face 668 to position it for engagementwith the flange 414 in thenotch 416 in the latch, the

spring 468 acting to move the valve into engagement with the latch inthis notch. With the valve 434 in this position the fluid againcirculates idly from the pump H6 through the pipe 426, the chamber 462and back through the pipes 444 and 422 to the pump.

It will be understood that while the valve 452 in one-half of themachine is in the position shown in Fig. 11, the shoe is maintainedunder pressure of the ironing means and the operator may present anothershoe to the other half of the twin machine. As the operator depressesthe treadle 562 of the other half of the machine to swing its associatedarm 484 forwardly to move the valves 484 and 452 of that half of themachine from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to the positions shown inFig. 10, the arm 586 is swung downwardly by engagement of the roll 582with the bar 584, thereby releasing the arm 484 that is in the positionshown in Fig. 11 to the action of its spring 468 which swings the armrearwardly into engagement with the adjustable stop 486. As the arm 484is thus swung the valve 452 connected to that arm is moved into theposition shown in Fig. 3 in which position fluid is exhausted throughthe port 459 from one of the cylinders 362. The shoe previously operatedupon is thus released from pressure and the ironing means at that sideof the machine returns to its lowermost position in the machine. As thearm 484 is swung from the position shown in Fig. 11 to the positionshown in Fig. 3, the roll 488 carried by the arm acts to impart anupward swinging movement to the latch 472. In order that the latch 412will not be swung upwardly far enough to move it out of engagement withthe valve 434 in the quick return of the arm 484 to starting position,there is provided an adjustable stop, illustrated as a screw 6 l 2,which is threaded into the base 28 and is provided with a head GM forengaging the latches 412 to limit their upward swinging movement, a locknut 6l6 being provided for holding the screw in adjusted position (Fig.11).

The illustrated machine is further provided with means for swinging thearm 586 in a direction to move the bar 584 out of engagement with theshoulder 684 on the valve 452 to permit the spring 498 to move the arm484 into engagement with the adjustable stop 496 and the valve 452 intoposition to permit fluid to be exhausted from the cylinder 362 after ashoe has been maintained under pressure of the ironing means for apredetermined length of time. This means, as herein illustrated,comprises a timing device which is operatively connected to the arm 586in response to movement of the arm to position the bar 584 forengagement with the shoulder 684 on the valve 452. The. timing devicecomprises a ratchet wheel 6l8 formed integral with a bushing 62!] (Fig.8) rotatively mounted in a bearing 622 formed on the bracket 498, and apawl 624 pivotally connected to the upper end of an arm 626 which isoscillated continuously through connections to an eccentric shaft 628(Fig. 3) which is geared to a second shaft 638 driven continuouslythrough a belt 632 by a pulley 634 fast to the continuously driven gearpump shaft 636. A tension spring 638 connected at one end to the pawl624 and at the other end to the arm 626 tends to hold the pawl in theposition shown in Fig. 9 with a projection 64!] on the pawl inengagement with a fixed stop 642 on the arm 626. Extending through thebushing 628 (Fig. 8) is a rod 644 on the inner end of which is slidablymounted a short bushing 646 which serves as a bearing for one arm 643 ofa forked lever 658, the other arm 652 of which is supported by thebushing 628. Between the arms 648 and 652 of the lever 656 there ismounted on the rod 644 a small drum 654 which is threaded on the endportion of the bushing 628 and has a forwardly projecting portion 656 onwhich is mounted a downwardly extending arm 656 carrying a pin 668. Thearm 658 is held against movement relatively to the drum by a pin 662carried by the drum and to which there is secured one end of a chain664. The drum 654 is provided with a circumferential groove 666 toreceive the chain 664 the lower end of which is secured to a weight 668which tends to rotate the drum 654, the arm 658 and the ratchet wheel6l8 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7. Mountedon the end portion of the rod 644 opposite the bushing 646 is a finger6T8 carrying a pin 612 arranged to extend into any one of a series ofholes 614 formed in the ratchet wheel M8. The parts mounted on the rod644 are held in spaced relation by the head 616 of the rod which bearsagainst the finger 618, and a nut 678 threaded on the opposite end ofthe rod and engaging a head 688 formed on the bushing 646. Pivotallymounted on the rod 588 supported by the bracket 468 is a retaining pawl682 which is urged toward the ratchet wheel 6H3 by a tension spring 684connected at one end to the pawl and at the other end to the arm 688 ofthe bell-crank lever 568, the arm 688 having formed thereon a lateralprojection 685 for limiting swinging movement of the pawl 682 toward theratchet wheel by the action of the spring 684 thereon. Fig. 6illustrates the initial positions of the parts with the finger 618 inengagement with the arm 668 and the retaining pawl 682 in engagementwith one of the ratchet teeth 686 of the ratchet wheel 618. As the arm626 receives an oscillatory movement in the direction of arrow A (Fig.9) the pawl 624 engages one of the ratchet teeth 686 and moves theratchet Wheel in a clockwise direction. This causes the finger 670through the arm 688 to move the pawl 682 out of engagement with theratchet wheel which, together with the finger 618, is then moved in acounterclockwise direction by the action of the weight 668 thereon asthe arm 626 is swung in the direction of the arrow B (Fig. 9). As thefinger 616 is swung in a counterclockwise direction, the springs 662 and684 return the arm 688 and the pawl 682 to the position shown in 6 sothat, with the valves 452 in the position shown in Fig. 3, the ratchetwheel 6l8 is not rotated step by step in a clockwise direction but ismerely oscillated in each rotation of the eccentric shaft 628. Movementof one of the valves 452, however, into the position shown in Fig. 10 bydepression of its associated treadle 582 causes the roll 582 byengagement with the bar 584 to impart a downward swinging movement tothe arm 586 and through the mechanism connected to the arm 668 to movethe retaining pawl 682 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel MB. Thispermits the weight 668 to rotate the ratchet wheel 616 and to swing thefinger 6T8 in a counterclockwise direction (Figs. 6 and '7) until thepin 660 carried by the arm 658 engages the arm 652 of the lever 650.Thereafter the ratchet wheel 6l8 is again oscillated idly until thevalve 452 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 11. As the valve 452is thus moved the spring 682 swings the arm 688 upwardly into engagement

